Packaging Career Tips
Resume Writing
There are a lot of good websites to help with resume writing, but there are a few items that we think are very important to keep in mind from the hiring manager’s perspective.
Surveys show that hiring managers will spend less than 10 seconds determining if a resume deserves a detailed look.
Is your resume in the standard format? If your information is hard to read or hard to find, you’re not getting off to a good start. Name, address, and contact info right at the top.
Are your previous employers easy to spot? The quality/relevance of previous employers is one of the first things a hiring manager looks for. Make them STAND OUT.
Use numbers to emphasize accomplishments. $50,000 in annual cost savings stands out even on this page, doesn’t it?
Now that you’re through the 10-second window, let’s go back to the top and see what we’ve got.
Objective – This isn’t the most important part of your resume, but it could hurt you. If your objective doesn’t match anything in the job description, that’s a miss. Make sure your objective matches the opportunity in front of you, but remember you’re still on a clock. Keep it short.
Previous positions – include a summary of each position, but only a line or two.
Detailed bullets – Is there anything you can add that is relevant to the specific job you’re applying for? Add it!
Quantifiable Accomplishments – this isn’t a job description, it’s your resume! What sets you apart from others? What have you contributed?
As mentioned above, use numbers! “Successfully managed $10 million package redesign…” The numbers draw attention to your successes.
Anything totally irrelevant? Take it off! Any time a hiring manager is reading something that isn’t selling you, you’re wasting their time, and you’re wasting your time to sell yourself.
Interests/hobbies at the end. Admittedly not relevant, but some managers are curious. Label it clearly and boldly so she/he can skip it if they’d like. This is also an opportunity to call attention to any charitable work you to, etc.
Interviewing
Your first interview will almost always be a phone screen. The hiring manager will be evaluating more than your technical knowledge, so be prepared!
Set-up somewhere with a good signal, where it will be quiet and you can talk uninterrupted.
Review the job description and the company website before your call. You need to be able to demonstrate sincere interest in the role and the organization.
Be thorough but concise. If the hiring manager needs clarification, she’ll ask!
Cite specific examples from your experience when possible. It makes your experience more real if you can go beyond theoretical conversation.
Ask questions as they come to mind. You want it to become more of a conversation so everyone can relax and let personalities come out a bit. The hiring manager needs to be able to see herself working with you every day.
Don’t cross the line from relaxed to unprofessional. Lay off the profanity.
Remember you’re interviewing them too. You need to learn enough in this call to know if you’re interested in next steps.
